Christmas hamper program

The Good Shepherd Centre celebrated the opening of it’s Venture Centre by launching this year’s Christmas Hamper program Monday. The Good Shepherd says 35-hundred families will benefit from the program this year.

Ahmed and Einas Al Juboori moved to Hamilton two years ago from Iraq, with their three little girls.

Einas: “We’re here to get some Christmas Hamper, and presents for the kids.”

Presents they wouldn’t be able to afford by themselves.

The Good Shepherd Centre’s annual Christmas Hamper program kicked off Monday morning. This program helps families in need, like the Al Juboora’s, put food on their tables and presents under their trees.

Alan Whittle is the Good Shepherd Centre’s Spokesperson: “Particularly around Christmas time, the need is felt more so, there’s lots of pressure to have gifts under tree and celebration.”

Einas: “We would get them presents, but not as much according to our budget.”

The Good Shepherd’s hamper program will serve 3,500 families in the Hamilton area. The demand is high this time of year, but unfortunately the donations don’t always meet the demands.

Alan said: “We really do need the community to help us deliver our programs by delivering food or financial donations.”

Einas notes that children can be children no matter what their nationality: “Can I have the same size so they won’t have a fight.”

The Al Juboori’s are thankful for programs like this one. The transition to a new country has been challenging.

Einas says: “(We are) newcomers, it’s gonna take us some time to find work and stabilize our financial situation.”